Federal Member for Ballarat, Catherine King, has confirmed funding of $9,933 to help fund name plaques for the 129 trees on the recently re-established Coimadai Avenue of Honour.
In welcoming the funding, provided through the Stronger Communities Programme, Ms King praised the work of the community in re-establishing the commemorative avenue.
“The wider Coimadai community together with local tradesmen and volunteers and the assistance of Government funding have been able to construct the Coimadai Community Park and reinstate the Avenue of Honour along the Coimadai-Diggers Rest Road,” Ms King said.
“The community contributed more than $200,000 in materials, labour and equipment hire for the project which was an outstanding achievement.
“But the project was incomplete without the names of the WW1 volunteers on the trees.
“There has been more than 7000 hours of volunteer labour contributed so far to this project and the installation of the name plaques will mark the end of the WW1 section of the memorial.”
The original Avenue of Honour was in the Coimadai village, which now lies submerged under the waters of the Merrimu Reservoir. The original name plaques were lost during the reservoir’s construction.
Ms King said the Coimadai Avenue of Honour Restoration Association is prepared to provide $29,933 in cash and in-kind support for the $9,933 grant.
“I know the community is determined to record and honour every service man and woman with a Coimadai connection in any branch of the armed services.” Ms King said.
“Now that they have the most difficult challenge of WW1 all but completed, I have little doubt they will complete this most important project for the community.”
Authorised by G. Wright, Australian Labor Party, 5/9 Sydney Ave, Barton, ACT 2600